GNSS Receiver Epoch Scheduling for Precision-Resource Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing GNSS receivers face challenges in managing resources efficiently to provide updated positioning data at a predetermined time, especially in applications requiring frequent updates, while balancing power consumption and precision.

Innovation Solution

A resource management method for GNSS receivers that determines an epoch for data reception, performs repetitive and non-repetitive tasks within this epoch, and adjusts the number of repetitions based on available time and processing power to ensure timely output of positioning data, optimizing precision and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of satellite signals considered is increased to improve positioning precision, then positioning precision is improved, but processing resource demand increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidprocessing resource demand
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource management by continuously monitoring available processing resources and adjusting the number of repetitive tasks performed accordingly. The system determines the maximum number of repetitions based on current CPU availability, allowing it to adapt between processing more signals for higher precision when resources permit, or reducing repetitions to maintain real-time performance when resources are constrained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of task repetition count dynamically. By varying the number of repetitive tasks (n) based on available processing resources and epoch constraints, the system optimizes the balance between positioning precision and processing load, enabling flexible adjustment of computational intensity to match available resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If more repetitive tasks are performed to improve positioning precision, then positioning precision is improved, but the time required for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of repetitive task iterations based on the epoch duration and available processing time. By calculating the maximum feasible repetitions within the epoch constraint, the system ensures that precision improvements are achieved without exceeding the time budget required to deliver positioning data to the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of the epoch duration and available processing time before executing repetitive tasks. This advance planning allows it to calculate the maximum number of repetitions that can be completed within the epoch, ensuring that time-critical positioning data delivery is not compromised while maximizing precision within available time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the processing speed is increased to meet real-time requirements, then update rate is improved, but positioning precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate rateVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a sufficient number of repetitive tasks to achieve acceptable positioning precision within the epoch constraint, rather than attempting to complete all possible processing iterations. By determining the maximum feasible repetitions that fit within the epoch duration, it achieves partial action that balances precision requirements with real-time update rate demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4685525A1Resource management method for a GNSS receiver and a corresponding GNSS receiver
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 U-BLOX
  • EP4685525A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685525A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4685525A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a resource management method for a GNSS receiver (10), comprising: determining an epoch (E) for an application (15) of the GNSS receiver (10), wherein the epoch (E) defines a first time period t2 in which the application (15) expects to receive positioning data; determining a number of repetitions n for performing one or more repetitive tasks of a positioning algorithm (14) of the GNSS receiver (10); and during each epoch, performing the positioning algorithm (14). Performing the positioning algorithm (14) comprises: performing the one or more repetitive tasks of the positioning algorithm n times, wherein performing the one or more repetitive tasks n times takes a first amount of running time t3 that depends on the number n of repetitions; performing one or more non-repetitive tasks of the positioning algorithm (14), wherein performing the one or more non-repetitive tasks takes a second amount of running time t5 that does not depend on the number n of repetitions; and outputting updated positioning data to the application (15) based on the output of the one or more repetitive tasks and the one or more non-repetitive tasks of the positioning algorithm (14). The number n of repetitions is determined such that t3 + t5 ≤ t2. The present disclosure further relates to a GNSS receiver (10) configured to perform the above method.